Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson (21) scores a touchdown during the NCAA football game between Auburn and Georgia on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Auburn, Ala.

Since the format of the NFL draft went to seven rounds, Auburn has never had more than five players taken in a single year.

The Tigers' program nearly matched that mark Friday night in the second round of the 2018 version. Auburn saw former talents Braden Smith, Kerryon Johnson and Carlton Davis get selected in the second round of the draft marking the first time that has happened for the Auburn program since 1989.

The final four rounds of the draft (4-7) will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday where more Auburn talent is expected to be taken including pass rusher Jeff Holland and placekicker/all-time leading scorer Daniel Carlson.

Smith, a two-time All-America offensive lineman, was the first Auburn player taken in this year's draft. Smith, who recently got engaged during this spring to Auburn softball player Courtney Shea, was drafted in the second round with the 37th overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Smith took the phone call from Colts general manager Chris Ballard while he was watching his fiance play a college softball game at Texas A&M.

“Folks, he’s a powerful people mover,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said in his on-air description of Smith after he was selected by the Colts. “He drops his hat a little bit versus speed (but) that’s just a matter of learning how to drop his hips and bending his knees.

Braden Smith returned for his senior season after giving thought to turning pro after last season.

Smith, who saw action at both guard spots and right tackle in his Auburn career, started in 40 straight games dating back to his freshman season. He was a back-to-back All-American selection by the Associated Press and CBS Sports. The senior co-captain was an All-SEC first-team selection in back-to-back years.

“He’s played inside. He’s played outside (and) it’ll be interesting to see where they ultimately line him up,” Mayock said. “I think he’s a guard."

Smith could find instant playing time in Indianapolis, who just hired new head coach Frank Reich this offseason, on the opposite side of the Colts first round pick after they selected Notre Dame guard Quentin Nelson on Thursday night. Indianapolis had fourth-year veteran Jack Mewhort at right guard where Smith started every game of the 2017 season at Auburn.

“What is (Colts general manager) Chris Ballard telling us fellas? We’re going to fix something that the Indianapolis Colts haven’t fixed for years — that’s offensive line,” Mayock said. “Let’s hope Andrew Luck is healthy. Because if he is, he’s not getting touched.”

Johnson, who totaled a SEC-best 1,391 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns in 2017 despite missing two games, had injury issues in his Auburn career that included hamstring, shoulder, midsection, ankle and foot issues but said during his Auburn pro day workouts that “bottom line I’ve only missed three games in three years” so he had hopes durability wouldn’t be an issue in his draft profile.

Johnson hopes to add to the list of 12 running backs who has been coached by Auburn assistant coach Tim Horton to be a starter in professional football over the last 11 seasons. Horton’s previous NFL products include Cameron Artis-Payne, Peyton Barber, Knile Davis, Corey Grant, Michael Johnson, Felix Jones, Tre Mason, Darren McFadden, Michael Smith, Jonathan Williams and Ronnie Wingo.

“I’m happy to be a piece of anybody’s puzzle," Johnson said in his Friday night media teleconference. "I’m ready to come in and work. That’s what I feel like this organization loves to do is work. That’s what everybody knows Detroit for, being a hardworking city and I’m looking forward to stepping in that and doing the same.”

The Detroit Free-Press reported earlier that Johnson made a pre-draft visit to the Lions' facility last week and the Lions look to improve a dismal running attack behind quarterback Matthew Stafford and first-year head coach Matt Patricia, who spent the last six seasons as the defensive coordinator under Bill Belichick in New England.

"They were awful in the run game last year," Mayock said. "They’re trying to fix it by A) drafting an offensive lineman yesterday, B) LeGarrette Blount is on a one-year deal and now you bring in the rookie for an affordable four more years. They’re going after the run game, trust me.”

Davis, who didn’t participate in the 2018 Peach Bowl loss to Central Florida, became the third Auburn player to hear his name called when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected him with the 63rd overall pick. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound defensive back was a first-team All-America selection by Sports Illustrated and had 33 pass deflections and four interceptions in his college career.

"You talk about long corners with the ability to play press coverage, this is your guy. When you draw it up, this is what it looks like. An impressive specimen. (He’s) best when he redirects at the line of scrimmage," Mayock said. "I thought he struggled to find the ball in the air with his back to the quarterback. However, he can run and when he opens those hips and moves, it’s pretty impressive for a big guy. My only two issues with him A) Can you find the ball? B) He was an impressive big-hit tackler but not always a consistent tackler.”

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein compared Davis’ skill set in his draft profile to former Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman as the former All-Pro selection signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. Davis was the second cornerback Tampa Bay drafted in the second round after the Bucs took North Carolina's M.J. Stewart just 10 picks earlier.

“I like Stewart where you kick him inside and put Davis outside with those long arms," NFL Network analyst Charles Davis said. "And in that division with you dealing with New Orleans, with Atlanta and those long receivers and you start bringing in guys like (Carlton Davis).”